Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-18
swcred, Eyes. we must have help and

A realization of his short sightednes'
was beginning to break in upon his hitherto
blinded senses.
Berthe now came near him with The cry
ing baby in her tired little arms. III
reached out and took it.
as it sick, too?" he questioned, in a sor'
Of despairing way, as he looked lnto It's
pain drawn and fever-tiushcd face.
"Its a pretty sick child. MIR. CLAYTON,
spoke u kind. hearted young man, Albert
Grey, who had worked on Mr.. Clayton
family. "Let me take it while you do
something for Mrs. Clayton" he thought
fully offered, taking the infant tenderly. as
a mother and carried it gently in his
strong arms against his kindly heart. He
gave it a drink of cool water; it soon
Welded to the soothing influence, and
cceasing it's pitiful moaning lay quietly in
his arms, breathing fast and hard.
But Walter did not know what to do
until Albert told him to battle her head in
cold water and to wiring cloths out of it and
bind on her brow. A few minutes later a
neighbor woman was there. In an hour
more the doctor and Mary Smith had ar
rived.
The old apostle of Esculapius shook his
head ominously and advised perfect quiet
and a good nurse.
At the end of another hour everything
was made as comfortable IS possible. The
men had a "got-up" dinner that Mary soon
set before them.
One week later Walter Clayton shed the
most bitter tears of his life over O newly
made little grave.
But days passed before Kate knew that
her baby had gone to sleep; that they had
taken it from her side and laid it in its little
earth-b bed.
Great. choking sobs of anguish shook
the strong form of her husband rs he held
her tenderly" in his arms and told her OF
their loss.
When she, in very weak, faint voice,
asked for her baby, they had tried to put
her off for a little time, butshe had pleaded
SO ~piteously to be permitted to see her
sweet, little baby. that the kind, old doctor
thought best to tell her.
A very thin, white arm it was that Kate
feebly raised and flung round her hns-
bands neck. pressing his face close against
her own and their tears flowed together.
All present-the doctor, the nurse, and
Mary felt this to be a sacred grief, and in
silent sympathy their own tears freely
flowed.
Mary, being the more impulsive,. almost
noiselessly escaped from the room. the
tears binding her, and rushed along to the
kitchen wringing her hands. "Heaven pity
their poor, sore hearts!n she moaned, as
she closed the kitchen door behind her and
turned to find herself in Albert's arms.
what is the matter, Mary?" he asked
~concernedly. looking down into her stream
ing eyes and gently leading her to q seat.
ooh, they are heart broken, Albert" she
sobbed.
cit is a sad bereavement" he re-
piled, and his voice, q little husky, wat
soft and low as he strove to soothe. Mary'e
agitation, and with gentle, tender hands
wiped away her tears. Soon his efforts
were rewarded by q sad, sweet smile from
the clear, brown eyes looking straight into
his own kindly blue ones.
When the sobs had ceased to, break the
silence, and the discreet doctor and nurse
had stolen out Of the room, Walter, in 9
broken voice pleaded: "Kate, dear, car
you ever forgive my cruelty careless neg
guish? Oh, Kate, darling! have pity or
me! 1 never knew how to appreciate you
nor how much 1 loved you, until L Though
[ must lose YOU"
"Let lis forget it, my darling, she replied
in. a trembling voice. and she wept softly il
his arms, with head pillowed on his heav.
ing breast.
Kate then knew that in, the loss of one
sweet treasure she had gained another-he1
husbands undying love.
That unequaled artist, Nature: wa paint.
ing in the most vivid colorings of brown
gold, ruset, and crimson, yet with the mos
delicate and harmonious touches, the au
tumnal robes of field and forest.
The soft, balmy breezes of a glorious
October evening were gently kissing cheel
and brow of the pleasant, happy group OF
the lawn in front of the Clayton residence
Kate Clayton had regained her former
health. A bright, contented smile DER,
spread her fair face as she raised it to tina
of her husband, who sat beside her i,
the pleasant shade of q flaming maple
Albert and Mary were walking at q littl,
distance, and BERTHE and George wer,
romping with Nero.
IL don't see how we are to spare Mary
AL; she has become a fixed necessity in oul
house," spoke Walter with q mischievou'
twinkle in his eyes. Mary,
cheeks flushed brightly and he
eyes dropped beneath the proud
lover-like glance hat Albert bestowed upo1
her. Her happy heart beat quickly ut tn.
thought that Albert had, with his savings
carefully laid up, purchased a small farm
of his own, and had been persuading he.
that he needed her to help him manage it
to which she had consented.
But Walter, stoutly, with pretended op,
position to their plans, declared that Alder
should not have her until he had procured
as good a help for Kate.